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Home » Trending

15 Mac and Cheese Recipes So Good, You Won’t Wait for the Holidays

Published: Dec 3, 2024 by Lara Clevenger, Registered Dietitian This post may contain affiliate links - read my disclaimer for full details... Leave a Comment

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Forget waiting for the holidays—these 15 mac and cheese recipes are too good to put off! From ultra-creamy to delightfully cheesy, these dishes are perfect for satisfying your cravings now. Grab your fork and dig in, because this cheesy goodness can’t wait!

Easy Baked Skillet Mac and Cheese

Close-up of a spoon lifting a portion of cheesy baked macaroni and cheese with a breadcrumb topping from a casserole dish, garnished with chopped herbs.
Easy Baked Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

There’s nothing like baked skillet mac and cheese to bring the comfort! Whether it's a holiday feast or a backyard cookout, this easy, cheesy dish is always a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Easy Baked Skillet Mac and Cheese

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese

Bowl of pasta with creamy sauce, garnished with chopped green onions and drizzled with a dark sauce. A fork is in the bowl, making it one of the top 10 instant pot recipes for quick and delicious meals.
Instant Pot BBQ Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

Skillet mac and cheese baked in the oven is the definition of comfort food! Whether you're serving it up for a big holiday potluck or a laid-back summer cookout, this cheesy dish is sure to be a crowd favorite.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot BBQ Mac and Cheese

Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos

A close-up view of a dish of macaroni and cheese garnished with chopped herbs, presented in a rectangular white baking dish, joins the ranks of our 21 roasted dishes.
Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos. Photo Credit: The Crumby Kitchen.

This mac and cheese is where bold flavors meet creamy comfort! Roasted poblanos and fresh jalapeños add the perfect spice, while the cheesy goodness balances it all out for a dish everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Mac and Cheese with Roasted Poblanos

Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Mac and cheese with ground turkey in a pot.
Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Skip the box and make this one-pot turkey mac and cheese your new go-to! With lean turkey, spinach, peppers, and creamy cheddar cheese, it’s a grown-up take on a classic comfort food. And the best part? You can have it on the table in just 30 minutes!
Get the Recipe: Turkey Skillet Mac and Cheese

Sausage Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese with sausage and parsley.
Sausage Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This creamy sausage mac and cheese is a guaranteed favorite! With its velvety sauce and irresistible cheesy goodness, it's a dish that satisfies even the pickiest eaters. Perfect for family dinners, it’s one meal that’ll please all ages.
Get the Recipe: Sausage Mac and Cheese

Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Grown up mac and cheese in a casserole dish.
Grown Up Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Honest and Truly.

Mac and cheese is a timeless classic, but sometimes it needs a little kick! This grown-up baked mac and cheese with tomato and bacon brings bold, savory flavors to the table, transforming a simple dish into a mouthwatering experience.
Get the Recipe: Grown Up Mac and Cheese

Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese

A skillet filled with smoked mac and cheese and bacon on a stove top.
Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese. Photo credit: Food Plus Words.

Skillet Bacon Mac and Cheese is the comfort food you didn’t know you needed. With creamy, cheesy goodness and crispy bacon in every bite, it’s the perfect combination of flavors. Get ready to dive into a skillet full of cheesy, bacon-filled bliss!
Get the Recipe: Skillet Bacon Mac And Cheese

Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

A picture of baked cauliflower mac and cheese in cast iron skillet on wooden table.
Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Primal Edge Health.

Relive the comfort of Annie’s mac and cheese with a homemade twist! Our mouthwatering copycat recipe delivers the same cheesy goodness but with an extra boost of flavor, all baked to perfection. Creamy, indulgent, and packed with nostalgic charm—this version is a must-try!
Get the Recipe: Baked Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Two City Vegans.

Satisfy your mac and cheese cravings the vegan way with this creamy Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese! Made with rich pumpkin puree, savory nutritional yeast, and cozy spices, this dish delivers all the comfort without the dairy. Customize it with your favorite vegan cheese for a twist you’ll love!
Get the Recipe: Vegan Pumpkin Mac and Cheese

School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese (A Lunch Lady Throwback)

Macaroni pasta bathed in melty cheese sauce with breadcrumb topping.
School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese (A Lunch Lady Throwback). Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Remember that classic school cafeteria mac and cheese? We’ve taken it to the next level! Creamy and comforting with a crunchy breadcrumb topping, this dish starts on the stovetop and bakes to golden perfection in the oven—making it the perfect main or side for any meal.
Get the Recipe: School Cafeteria Mac and Cheese (A Lunch Lady Throwback)

Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Noodles with creamy cheese sauce and crunchy panko.
Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Not Entirely Average.

Need a cozy, homemade mac and cheese fix? This creamy dish is made on the stove and baked for that golden, cheesy finish! For an extra fun touch, you can even turn it into individual Mac and Cheese Muffins—perfect for lunch, dinner, or a tasty snack.
Get the Recipe: Homemade Creamy Mac and Cheese

Deep Fried Mac and Cheese

Deep Fried Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Treat yourself to the ultimate appetizer—crispy mac and cheese bites! With creamy macaroni and melty cheese wrapped in a perfectly crunchy batter, these bites are sure to hit the spot and satisfy your cheesy cravings.
Get the Recipe: Deep Fried Mac and Cheese

Southern Mac and Cheese

Southern Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Baking Beauty.

Comfort food at its finest—creamy mac & cheese with a crunchy breadcrumb topping that’s just to die for! In less than an hour, you can enjoy this indulgent, crowd-pleasing dish that everyone will love.
Get the Recipe: Southern Mac and Cheese

Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

A bowl of macaroni and cheese in front of a slow cooker.
Crock Pot Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Who doesn’t love mac and cheese that practically makes itself? Toss it in the crock pot, let it cook slow, and you’ll have cheesy perfection that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance!
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Mac and Cheese

Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese

Greek yogurt mac and cheese with peas and bacon in a white bowl.
Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

Get your mac and cheese fix with a healthy twist! Made with creamy Greek yogurt, this version is lighter but still packs all the cheesy comfort you love—guilt-free and delicious!
Get the Recipe: Greek Yogurt Mac and Cheese

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Hi, I’m Lara, a Registered Dietitian and Personal Trainer with a passion for food and travel.

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